A gathering of speakers, lectures and panels to discuss current social trends, inequalities, oppression and step to take for the future to work towards a harmonious world together.

It will be a day of knowledge, information and connection making. Meet likeminded people or get a chance to discuss an important topic with someone who sees it differently. Respect, love and communication is what we are advocating with this conference and we invite EVERYONE to please come and join us on a day meant for togetherness.

CATERED FOOD! FREE ADMISSION! AWESOME PEOPLE!

We will have A STAGE OF MUSIC and PERFORMANCES with DANCING and FOOD and MERRIMENT! We hope you decide to join us!

If you are interested in volunteering or being a part of the conference we are always looking for more people to get involved. We are even looking for more performers!

‘Justice Through Education’ at the Cabrillo College Sesnon House, April 26th 2014

APTOS, CA — Cabrillo College announces that its widely acclaimed, eighth annual Social Justice Conference, entitled Justice through Education, will be held at The Cabrillo College Sesnon House on Saturday, April 26th 2014. Admission is free.

This year the conference features keynote speaker Marcia Rincon-Gallardo. A Juvenile Justice Advocate, she is an expert on implementing culturally relevant programs that focus on diverting youth and youth of color away from the justice system. She is a UCSC graduate with a bachelors degree in Biology who also has completed her Masters in Social Work (MSW) from San Jose State University and who just published her most recent work, “Critical Healing for Court-Involved Youth Missing in Juvenile Justice System”. Joining her will be speakers and panelists from all around the Bay Area to discuss important topics that help to not only promote understanding within the community, but also shape our choices moving into the future.

For the past seven years faculty and staff have been the main organizers of the conference but this year, due to a lack of availability, the previous faculty coordinators were no longer able to take on the task. With the threat that the conference would not happen, one student decided to step up and lead the event. Dru Glover, a 28-year-old sociology major and the president of The Cabrillo College Justice League, accepted the challenge with only 2 months to plan. Since then he has rallied together two other student clubs (The Sustainability Council and the Student Solidarity Coalition) to create a very special, student-coordinated event filled with knowledge, community and togetherness. “I am honored to be the one with this awesome responsibility.” Mr. Glover said. “In past years the Conference has attracted more than 350 attendees and this year we want to top that! The widespread support we have received so far proves to me that the passion and desire for social justice is in the hearts and minds of Cabrillo College students, faculty, staff, administrators, and the greater Santa Cruz community. Now it’s just time to bring it out of them.”

With the goal to attract a larger number of attendees from all different demographics, planners have implemented different features to help get you involved and make your experience interactive. This year the conference will offer two stages (one dedicated to live musical performances, DJs and dancing) as well as multiple areas geared towards the different ways people learn. “Not everyone wants to sit and listen to speeches all day,” remarked Glover. “Acknowledging that is important. So, what we are going to do is offer an area of speeches, an area of panel discussions, an area of dancing, an area of art, and area of workshops and an area for documentaries!”. For those with children, the planners haven’t forgotten about you either and provided a free, fully supervised children’s area with arts, craft, reading and writing workshops for the little ones while you attend a speech, panel or discussion. The conference will also offer a free breakfast and a free (pan dietary) light lunch for everyone who attends.

In order to encourage even more community involvement, planners are also inviting every non-profit in the Santa Cruz area to come out and distribute information. Some of the organizations who are confirmed to be there will include the Santa Cruz Homeless Shelter, the NAACP, SCCCCOR, Barrios Unidos, among many others to showcase the work they are doing toward social justice.

The event begins with an opening reception at 10AM the morning of Saturday, April 26th, which will feature a special morning musical performance and speech to launch everyone into the day.

What: The Cabrillo College 8th Annual Social Justice Conference When/Where: Opening Reception Saturday April 26th 2014, at The Cabrillo College Sesnon House Price: Admission is free and open to the public. A complimentary breakfast and light lunch will be served. For More Information: Dru Glover (Lead Coordinator) 831-325-4721 or Dennis Etler (Faculty Advisor) 831-334-8615 or visit: http://www.theCCJL.org/

About Cabrillo College

Cabrillo College is a leading California community college serving Santa Cruz County with locations in Aptos, Scotts Valley and Watsonville. It is ranked #1 in transfers to UC Santa Cruz. Founded in 1959, the college offers over 100 academic and career technical education programs that serve multiple educational goals such as A.A. and A.S. degrees, certificates of achievement, skills certificates, transfer to 4-year institutions or for lifelong learning and personal enrichment.